COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) 2025/1044 of 23 May 2025 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council with detailed rules and procedures on the acceptance of air traffic controller licences and certificates issued by third countries - text published in the Official Journal of the European Union

Objective

This Regulation lays down detailed rules and procedures for the acceptance of air traffic controller licences (ATCL) and certificates including associated ratings and endorsements issued in accordance with the laws of a third (non-EU) country.

Summary

Acknowledging the shortage of and growing demand for air traffic controllers in the EU, this Regulation establishes the legal background that provides the possibility for shorter training periods.

The Regulation specifies the conditions under which EU Member States may:

• issue student air traffic controller licences (SATCL) based on certificates issued by a third country
• accept air traffic controller licences and associated ratings, privileges or certificates that were issued by a third country.

Issue of licenses

The competent authorities may issue SATCLs in accordance with Regulation 2015/340, based on certificates issued by a third country, provided the following conditions are met:

• the applicant is at least 18 years old;
• compliance with the requirements of Regulation 2015/340 regarding ATCO training;
• valid medical certificate issued in accordance with Regulation 2015/340;
• adequate level of language proficiency in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/340.

The holder of an ATCL issued by a third country may apply for a SATCL to the competent authority of an EU Member State after a recommendation from a training organisation certified under Regulation 2015/340. The recommendation must contain:

• a description of the privileges of the third-country ATCL;
• an indication for which requirements of Regulation 2015/340 credit is to be granted;
• a description of the additional training undertaken by the applicant;
• a statement confirming that the compliance of the applicant can be considered as being equivalent to the successful completion of the initial training required under Regulation 2015/340;
• copies of all relevant supporting documentation.

Acceptance of certificates

The competent authority of an EU Member State may accept ATCLs issued by a third country only for the purpose of providing inital training instruction and assessment. The applicant must meet both of the following conditions:

• they hold an ATCL issued by a third country in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention with a rating and, if applicable, rating endorsement corresponding to the one for which they are authorised to instruct or assess;
• they have demonstrated to the competent authority that they have successfully completed instructor or assessor training.

Entry into Force

This Regulation entered into force in June 2025.

Regulation 2025/1044 acceptance of ATCLs issued by third countries (OJ, 06.08.2025)

Related Regulations

• Regulation 2018/1139
• Regulation 2015/340

Further  Reading

European Commission

• EUR-Lex Portal: Regulation 2025/1044 (available in different languages and file formats)